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Synonyms

attire

American  
[uh-tahyuhr] / əˈtaɪər /

verb (used with object)

attired, attiring

  1. to dress, array, or adorn, especially for special occasions, ceremonials, etc.

noun

  1. clothes or apparel, especially rich or splendid garments.

  2. the horns of a deer.

attire British  
/ əˈtaɪə /

verb

  1. (tr) to dress, esp in fine elegant clothes; array

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. clothes or garments, esp if fine or decorative

  2. the antlers of a mature male deer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • reattire verb (used with object)
  • unattired adjective
  • well-attired adjective

Etymology

Origin of attire

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English atiren < Anglo-French atirer, Old French atirier, verbal derivative of a tire into a row or rank ( a- 3, tier 1 ); (noun) Middle English atir < Anglo-French, noun derivative of the v.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The trust has high-profile backing; former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua wore their logo on his attire for his recent fight with Jake Paul.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

“We are aware that doorbell images released earlier in the investigation depict a suspect in different stages of attire, including with and without a backpack,” the department statement said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

They were also the only uniforms at the Games inspired by attire from the 13th century, when Mongolia was raiding the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Their holiday attire celebrating Pride month or Saint George’s dragon kill, or Jesus’s birthday.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026

Now, you might be wondering why it is I have on vacation attire.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.